Marion County is likely unique in that it has two antebellum courthouses still standing, this one and the one at Tazewell. The brick for this courthouse was fired locally. A remodel in the 1890s transformed it from a plain vernacular appearance to its present Neoclassical style. It was modernized in the 1960s.
National Register of Historic Places
This is one of the most beautiful buildings in Buena Vista. I’m hoping some of these great old commercial buildings will someday be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The building on the left served for many years as Marion Drugs. The Charles M. Clements building is on the right. It served as a hardware and furniture store as well as the local undertaker.
Downtown Buena Vista is a nice little town with generally well-preserved early 20th century commercial storefronts, dominated by one of Georgia’s older courthouses in the center of the square.
This Coca-Cola sign is an amazing survivor.
This early 7Up mural was originally painted by Jimmy Bush in 1946. It was repainted by Signs by Norm of Dallas, Texas in 1992.
Organized at Tazewell in 1844, this congregation had moved to Buena Vista by 1854. Strong on temperance revivals, the church was credited in 1854 with the closure of three saloons. has often, through its history, enjoyed dynamic preaching as illustrated by this account from 1854. A new church was built in 1858. It was moved to this location from near the cemetery in 1908. Brick was added in 1924.
I photographed this farmhouse five years ago and that same ladder was propped against the window then.
I think this was last used a pool hall.
As of 2022, this store was still standing. Putnam is named for Putnam Sparks Stevens.
